Indo-West Pacific: eastern Indian Ocean including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, and northwest Australia to Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines; ranges north to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands.

Biology
Glossary
(e.g. epibenthic)

Adults inhabit coral reefs where it lives among the venomous tentacles of large sea anemones (Ref. 85309). Occur in shallow and calm lagoons. Are protandrous hermaphrodites (Ref. 32167). Distinct pair is monogamous (Ref. 32167). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). One of the most popular marine aquarium fishes. Bred artificially in Florida for the aquarium trade. Associated with the anemones: Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea, and Stichodactyla mertensii (Ref. 5911). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35410, 35413, 35415, 35418, 35420). Has reached an age of 12 years in captivity (Alexandre Fontayne, pers. comm., 2006).